Nov. 24, 2008

CLEVELAND - After averaging 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the Huskies' non-conference split last week; freshman guard Mike DiNunno was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Player of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday. DiNunno shared the weekly honor with Ball State's Anthony Newell.

In last Tuesday's (Nov. 18) 86-79 win over visiting Indiana State, DiNunno scored a career-high 27 points on six three-point field goals, just two off the single-game record at NIU. He also added four assists against zero turnovers, pulled down four rebounds, and was 9-of-11 from the free throw line.

In Saturday's (Nov. 21) two-point (75-73) at Tennessee State, DiNunno paced the Huskies' offense with a team-high 15 points, had three rebounds, three assists with just one turnover, and was 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.

For the week, DiNunno totaled 42 points, seven assists against just one turnover (7.0 assist/turnover ratio), seven rebounds and four steals. He converted 10 field goals, including seven from three-point range, and was 15-of-17 from the free throw line.

Newell posted back-to-back double-doubles in a loss against Butler, and a non-conference win over NCAA Division I transitional affiliate SIU-Edwardsville. DiNunno has led NIU in scoring in all four contests this season, and enters this week's Great Alaska Shootout averaging a MAC-fifth best 21.0 points per game.

The Huskies will open play in the Great Alaska Shootout Wednesday, when the Huskies take on 2008 Big Sky Conference regular-season and tournament champion Portland State at 12:45 a.m. CST (9:45 p.m. AKT). The Vikings come into the contest with a 3-0 record after defeating Cal-State Fullerton, 76-75, Sunday in Portland.